SpartanNash, Flashfood expand upon food waste reduction pilot

SpartanNash is expanding its partnership with food waste reduction company Flashfood with the addition of 44 Family Fare and VG’s Grocery store locations throughout Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska.

SpartanNash was the first company to introduce Flashfood in Michigan and Indiana through its pilot program at Family Fare and Martin's Super Markets. The latest expansion brings the first-ever Flashfood locations to stores in Nebraska and Iowa.

[Read more: SpartanNash, Bonum Health partner on telemedicine services]

Flashfood’s app enables shoppers to browse deals on fresh items such as meat, produce boxes, dairy and bakery items, as well as center-store foods and snacks that are nearing their best-by dates.

Discounted purchases are made directly through the app, then guests simply pick up their order from the “Flashfood zone” located inside their participating SpartanNash store. More than 40,000 guests at company-owned stores use the Flashfood app. In less than two years, the initiative has enabled more than150,000 affordable meals for families, diverting 180,000-lbs. of food from landfills, the company said. 

“We’re delighted to create food solutions for the communities and families we serve while keeping many food products near the end of their shelf life out of landfills,” SpartanNash senior vice president and chief marketing officer Amy McClellan said. “To lower shoppers’ grocery bills at a time when many are struggling with inflation costs, while also saving nutritious food from going to waste, is a win-win in our book.”

[Read more: SpartanNash appoints chief merchandising officer]

The expanded partnership with Flashfood builds upon SpartanNash’s mission to deliver ingredients for a better life, which includes reducing food waste and providing affordable access to nutrition, the company said. 

“Food waste that ends up in landfill is a major contributor to climate change. This expansion allows us to tackle that problem, while also feeding families more affordably,” Flashfood’s founder and CEO Josh Domingues said. “We commend SpartanNash for its commitment to sustainability and look forward to serving these new communities together.”

All participating Flashfood store locations can be found via a store locator on the company website.